There’s actually quite a lot to discuss the next two days when Big 12 coaches, players and media converge for the league’s annual, two-day preseason gab fest.

Before we begin, make sure everyone knows the change of address. After years at the Omni Hotel in Dallas, the event is headed north to the Dallas Cowboys’ new facility in Frisco.

Cowboys owner Jerry Jones built the Ford Center, a 12,000-seat arena, for his team to have indoor practices. It’s already become a terrific facility for North Texas high school games. It’s merely one aspect of the 91-acre entertainment and sports district.

Advertisement

Plenty of new coaches will be there, too. Texas’ Tom Herman, Oklahoma’s Lincoln Riley and Baylor’s Matt Rhule all will receive formal introductions to the league. Old hands like Oklahoma State’s Mike Gundy and Kansas State’s Bill Snyder know the drill. Somewhere, the now-retired Bob Stoops will be relaxing and enjoying the days off.

University of Texas Colt McCoy celebrates a win 13-12 against Nebraska during the Big 12 Championship game on Saturday in Arilington, Texas at the Cowboys Stadium December 5, 2009. (Ricardo B. Brazziell/American-Statesman)

The return of the Big 12 championship game

It hasn’t gotten much attention in recent months, but the Big 12 title game is coming back this season after a six-year absence. The top two teams in the standings will face each other again in Arlington on Dec. 2.

The league needed that so-called 13th data point with the College Football Playoff committee. In simplistic terms, the Big 12 needed a high-profile presence on the final day of the regular season to match the other four major conferences.

If league officials were being honest, the best possible scenario would be a Texas-OU rematch in December every year. Pitting the two high-profile moneymakers against each other in the title game is the most financially advantageous. The Longhorns are coming off three straight losing seasons, so Herman has some work to do.

Head coach Bob Stoops of the Oklahoma Sooners waits near the sideline during the second half of their game against the Houston Cougars during the Advocare Texas Kickoff on September 3, 2016 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Scott Halleran/Getty Images)

Will Stoops’ retirement change the landscape?

How could it not? Riley has been handed the keys to a championship-level program and some rather implicit instructions from OU President David Boren — don’t screw it up.

Sure, the Sooners have Heisman-caliber quarterback Baker Mayfield coming back for one last hurrah. Five OU players cracked the preseason all-Big 12 team. Big 12 reporters, looking at those 16 returning starters, picked the Sooners to win the whole shebang.

But don’t overlook Oklahoma State quarterback Mason Rudolph and his top threat, James Washington. Don’t dismiss TCU and mega-threat KaVontae Turpin. And, as Texas can attest, don’t even think about looking past Kansas and Big 12 defensive preseason player of the year Dorance Armstrong Jr.

Head coach Kliff Kingsbury of the Texas Tech Red Raiders in the first half at Amon G. Carter Stadium on October 29, 2016 in Fort Worth, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

Who’s on the hot seat?

Texas Tech’s Kliff Kingsbury probably needs to show some life. He’s produced three losing records in five years. At least the Red Raiders have plenty to show off. The school poured $1.6 million into locker room renovations and now has all the whiz-bang gizmos that any 17-year-old recruit would love.

Kansas State die-hards have their fingers crossed for Snyder. The legendary coach, now 77, was blasted nationally for blocking a player’s transfer. The school stepped in and Snyder apologized. But even the New York Daily News called Snyder its “Jerk of the Week” for the kerfuffle.

On Feb. 1, high school football prospects from around the state will sign their letters of intent with the University of Texas, just like former Cibolo Steele standout Malcolm Brown did in 2011. (Ashley Landis for American-Statesman)

Offseason rule changes

Beginning this year, Christmas comes early for all coaches. Dec. 20-22, a three-day window has been created that allows for high school recruits to go ahead and sign a letter of intent.

That will short-circuit the excitement and frenzy normally seen on national signing day in February. But at least coaches will know where they stand with recruits. Bottom line for recruits: Better have all your grades in order early and not have to rely on that final spring semester.

The Big 12 has also poured $1 million into a centralized command center for instant replay reviews. Each stadium will still have its own replay crew on site. But now, someone (or multiple people) will be back at the league headquarters with headphones watching plays to make sure things are done right.

University of Texas Head Football Coach Tom Herman talks with the team during spring practice on Tuesday, March 7, 2017.RICARDO B. BRAZZIELL/AMERICAN-STATESMAN

Can the Big 12 crack the CFP?

Oklahoma reached the CFP semifinals in 2015, but that’s the only Big 12 appearance in the three-year history of the event. That’s not a good track record. Of course, the four-team configuration is designed to leave out someone from the Power Five conferences every year. The Big 12’s only recourse is to get better.

And that’s where Herman can really help matters. The Big 12 desperately needs the Longhorns to get back on their feet and get back in the national conversation.

Oklahoma State, TCU, Baylor and everyone else know that if they go undefeated, they’ll be in CFP consideration. But those names will never carry the cache that Texas and OU do. The Horns and Sooners will always get the benefit of the doubt, though.